Pompey claim cup glory
Portsmouth won the FA Cup for the first time since 1939 after seeing off Cardiff in a pedestrian final at Wembley. However, both sets of supporters were determined to make it a day to remember and helped create a carnival atmosphere. It was Kanu's scrambled goal in the first half was the difference between the two teams. "The FA Cup belongs to Harry Redknapp, who has spent 25 years in management waiting for a moment like this," says Joe Lovejoy in the Sunday Times. Joe Bernstein in the Mail on Sunday adds: "It was a happy climax to a rollercoaster season for Redknapp in which the team's success has been at times overshadowed by controversy and family tragedy off the pitch." (Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday)
"It's been a difficult year, but football-wise it's been fantastic. It was just good today - you have these things in life, you go through tough times. Today was a good day." Harry Redknapp on a season that has seen brushes with the police, bereavement and finally the FA Cup.
Ronaldo’s future depends on Fergie
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Man United is apparently entwined with that of manager Sir Alex Ferguson. According to Steve Bates in the People the Portuguese "will give Manchester United another season before consudering his future - out of gratitude to Sir Alex Ferguson." David Harrison in the News of the World writes: "If Ronaldo's loyalty to Old Trafford is being severely tested by Real Madrid's relentless stalking, the presence of Ferguson will be a deciding factor in any decision to stay or go. As long as Fergie remains in power, Ronaldo is content to remain in England." (People, News of the World)
Mancini lined up for Chelsea
Still the speculation about the future of Chelsea boss Avram Grant goes on with the Champions League final just three days away. The latest big name to be linked with his job is Italian Roberto Mancini. "The 43-year-old Inter Milan coach hopes to guide his club to a third consecutive Serie A title today and then await the outcome of Chelsea's Champions League final showdown with Manchester United," reveals Paul Smith in the Sunday Mirror. "A Chelsea victory may help Avram Grant hang on, but Mancini has confided in close friends that he expects to land the Chelsea job - if owner Roman Abramovich decides to change his backroom staff and move Grant upstairs to become director of football." (Sunday Mirror)
England held up at damp Lords
The English weather conspired to ruin the third day of the Test at Lords, as constant drizzle restricted play to a 40 minute session before lunch. Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss survived the 8.5 overs that were managed in the day, taking England to 89 without loss in reply to New Zealand's 277, with Cook completing a half-century. Fans were eligible for a full refund on their tickets - at a cost of £1.1m to Lords - and many questioned the wisdom of scheduling Tests in mid-May. "Without the intervention of the weather England would be in a very strong position. As it stands there is still just enough time to embarrass the tourists if the weather relents," believes Vic Marks, writing in the Observer. (Observer)
"The way Strauss and Cook have played has been good, they've shown good intent in their running between the wickets and picked off the bad ball when they have had an opportunity." Unfortunately for England coach Peter Moores those bad balls have been few and far between, thanks to the weather.
Harmison breaks Hoggard’s thumb
A year ago they were shoo-ins for the England team, but outcasts Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard have been facing each other on the county circuit this week. And Harmison appears to have leapfrogged Hoggard in the race for a recall - by breaking his old team-mate's thumb and possibly ruling him out the series against New Zealand. As Peter Hayter writes in the Mail on Sunday: "Steve Harmison may have bowled himself back into the Test reckoning by breaking Matthew Hoggard's right thumb." However, Scyld Berry of the Sunday Telegraph calls for another Durham quickie - Graham Onions - to replace Hoggard in the England fold. (Mail on Sunday, Sunday Telegraph)
Dallaglio prepares to bow out
The top four in the Guinness Premiership play off today to decide this seasons finalists. Leicester, who sneaked the last play-off spot in the final minute of their league season, travel to Gloucester, who topped the table. Bath, who finished third in the table, visit second-placed Wasps. "In a month of farewells, the best may have been left for last. Wasps face Bath today in what is bound to be an epic Guinness Premiership semi-final. It may also be Lawrence Dallaglio's last competitive game for the club he joined in 1989, if Bath pull off a victory," notes Paul Ackford in the Sunday Telegraph. (Sunday Telegraph)
Transfer talk: The latest football transfer news and transfer rumours 
